Lock mechanism



May 20, 1941. c. J. scHELL LOCK MECHANISM Filed June 14, 1938 wmw .a Q

Patented May 20, 1941 g UNITED STATES PATE oEEicE 8 Claims.

The present invention relates to lock mechanisms, and more particularly locks of the type tionship whereby various and sundry articles may be housed within the resultant structure.

adapted for use on hand bags, brief cases and.

the like,

An object of the invention is to provide a small, compact locking mechanism which is mechanically and structurally simple yet positive in action.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lock of the type mentioned which is tamper or fool proof, and which can be unlocked only by a positive act on the part of the user.

A further object is to provide a lock mechanism the members of which cannot spring open unexpectedly while being subjected to the usual stresses and strains encountered in normal use.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a lock mechanism having a central control key which controls the bolt bars which cooperatively engage latch members remotely spaced therefrom.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a hand bag embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view of a hand bag embodying the invention, partly opened to reveal certain details thereof.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the invention with a side wall removed showing the relation of the various parts in unlocked position.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing parts in locking and locked position, portions of a hand bag also being shown.

Fig. 5 is a side view, partly in section, of the bolt actuating mechanism forming a detail of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a top view of Fig. 5 on lines 4-4 showing the relation of parts when in unlocked position.

Fig. 7 is similar to Fig. 6 showing the relationship of parts when in locked position.

Fig. 8 is a side view of a key guide and bearing forming a detail of the Invention.

Fig. 9 is a side View of a key member forming a detail of the invention.

Solely for the purpose of illustration, the present invention will be described in connection with a hand-bag or the like. In the manufacture of hand-bags and brief cases which comprise opposed side walls or pocket members suitably hinged together along an edge common to each, it is customary to provide locking or fastening means for securing and maintaining the edges -opposite said hinges in a closed, abutting rela- As shown in Fig. 2 a lock casing I0 is disposed outwardly ofA one opposed pocket member I| of handbag B, while a keeper means I2 is carried on the opposite outer edge of the second pocket member I3. The top pocket members are suitably hinged along base member I4. A bolt casing |00 is disposed interiorly of pocket member directly below lock casing I0 and in lateral alignment with the keeper ymeans I2.

As shown in'Figs. 3 and 4 a casing |00 com prises side walls I6, I-l, I8 and I9, and a bot-v tom plate 20, all of which may be formed from a single piece of sheet metal. Suitable openings as 2| and 22 are provided through wall I6 for Athe reception of Vsuitable keepers I2, hereinafter more fully described.

A revolvable cam-2`| is centrally disposed within said casing |00, said cam having diametrically aligned bolt actuating faces 28 and 29. Cam 21 is operated by means of cam shaft 30 (Fig. 5). Two opposed bolt members 23 and 24 are slidably mounted within said casing, one on either-side of cam 21, each bolt member terminating in a protruding nger or cam follower as 25 and 26, said fingers being diagonally disposed yrelative to cam 21 as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The width of bolts 23 and 24 adjacent said cam are such as to provide a sliding contact between opposed side walls I6 and I8 whereby the cam follower ngers 25 and 26 are constrained to move in a linear path relative to said cam. The outer ends of bolts 23 and 24 terminate in hook-like members which hereafter will be referred to as bolt hooks 3| and 32. It should be noted that the overall width of each bolt tapers 01T from a point of maximum width adjacent cam 21 to a minimum width adjacent the bolt hooks, whereby the outer end of each bolt may be moved laterally between walls I6 and I8 about the point of maximum width which functions as a pivot for such motion. 'I'he outer ends of boltsv 23 and 24 are constantly urged toward upper wall I 6 by means of suitable at springs 33 and 34 which v are fastened to the bolts intermediate their ends by any suitable means such as recessed portions 35 and 36 provided in the lower face of each bolt 23 and 24, the free end of each spring bearing against lowerv wall I8, as shown.

The bolt members are continually urged centerward of casing |00 toward Vcam 2l by means of coil springs 3l and 38 which t within suitable apertures 39 and 40 stamped or cut through members 23 and-24 respectively. One end of each spring bears against that end of its aperture adjacent cam 21, and the opposite end of each spring bears against a lip 4| punched from bottom plate 20, whereby the bolts are positively urged centerward relative to casing |00.

An indented bolt trip face 42 and 43 is provided in the outer end of each bolt adjacent, but centerward of the respective bolt hooks 3| and 32. Suitable retainer pins 46 and 41 extend from `the bottom wall 20, adjacent the hooked end of each bolt. Said pins cooperate with notches as 44 and 45 and slots 48 and 49 provided in the outer ends of bolts 23 and 24 below bolt hooks 3| and 32 respectively. The relationship between theretainer pins 46 and 41, notches 44 and 45 and slots 48 and 49 is such that the pins and notches engage as shown in Fig. 3 when the bolts are in an unlocked position viz., the bolt hooks 3| and 32 being withdrawn from openings 2| and 22, the ends of said bolts are held in contact with the under side of upper wall I6 by springs 33 and 34 said bolts being continually subjected to the force of springs 31 and 38 which, but for the engagement between pins 46 and 41 and notches 44 and 45, would move the bolts centerward,

Bolts 23 and 24 are released to a locked position as shown in the right side of Fig. 4 -by means of a lip 50 formed upon the keeper I2 at right angles thereto whereby a bolt hook ent gaging member is formed. The edge of each lip remote from from pins 46 vand 41 is bent outward whereby to form a bolt trip face engaging leg As shown in the left of Fig. 4, the entry of keeper |2 into the bolt casing |00 will cause the leg 5| thereof to contact the latch trip face 42 of bolt 23 whereby to depress the outer end of said bolt downward against the counter force of spring 33, whereby notch 44 is moved downward away from fixed pin 46. Further insertion of keeper I2 causes notch 44 to clear pin 46 whereby the bolt is instantly urged centerward by spring 31 to assume a relationship shown on the right side of Fig. 4. As the bolt is pulled centerward, as stated, the latch pin 32 engages lip 58 as shown. At this point it should be noted that each bolt may act independently of the other, whereby a safety feature is provided.

The bolt hook 32 and lip 58 will remain in locked relationship until bolt 24 is moved outward by means of cam 21, whereby bolt 24 will assume the tensioned unlocked position shown in Fig.`3.

Cam 21 is actuated by cam shaft 30 which comprises the free end of operator member 66 which is positioned on the outside of a handbag or the like. An operator locking mechanism is located between operator 6l! and cam shaft 21, and comprises the casing Il) housing a laterally sliding lock plate 62 (Figs. 5, 6 and '7) having a key hole shaped aperture 63 extending centrally therethrough. The key hole aperture is so proportioned that the rectangular shank 64 of cam shaft 36 can freely rotate when positioned within the circular part of the key hole shaped aperture, as shown in Fig. 6, but said shank is secured against rotation when positioned within the rectangular part of aperture 63, as shown in Fig. 7. Adjacent one end of plate 62 and medially disposed therethrough is an elongated aperture 65. Adjacent said aperture and positioned along one edge of plate 62 are two spaced, upwardly extending legs B6 and 61. On the other end of plate 62 a pair of upwardly extending lugs 68 and 69 are struck on opposite sides thereof as shown. A hairpin shaped spring 1I] having long converging legs 1| and 12 is secured between lugs 68 and 39. Legs 1| and 12 of spring 10 exert a squeezing or compressing force upon opposite faces of shank 64 whereby said shank is prevented from coming to rest in any position other than when the longer faces thereof are parallel with and between legs 1| and 12 whereby shank 64 is always properly positioned so that lock plate 62 may be reciprocated.

Longitudinal movement is imparted to plate 62 by means of a key 86 having depending lug tipped legs 8| which are adapted to cooperate with the key receiving slots 82 of key guide and bearing member 83 which is rotatably mounted as shown in Fig. 5, between the upper and lower plates of casing I8. A pin 84 extends through elongated aperture of plate 62 as clearly shown in Figs. 5, 6, and '7. By turning a key 8|] in a counter-clockwise direction, the lug lip 8| (Fig. 6) pushes against lug 66 lthereby sliding the `plate 62 to the left to assume a position as indicated in Fig. 7, whereby the key hole `slot engages shank 64 thereby securing said shaft from being rotated in either direction. Shank 64 is released by reversing the above procedure.

A top plate, not shown, for casing |60 is secured thereto in parallelism with bottom plate 2!! by any suitable means such as by means of rivets which maybe mounted through openings formed when spring retaining lips 4| were struck from bottom plate 20. The entire casing may be fastened to one side of the handbag by suitable means as bolts or rivets through suitable apertures as SI. The lock casing I0 is secured to the outside of the handbag whereby cam shaft 30 is aligned with the cam shaft engaging aperture 92 of cam 21, as shown in Fig, 5. Casing Ill is secured to the wall of the handbag by means of suitable bolts or rivets (not shown) which cooperate with apertures 93.

The present invention discloses a positive acting, fool proof latching mechanism suitable for use on handbags and the like. The latch members cannot become disengaged and spring apart from the latch retaining mechanism at a time other than when the operator desires, because the latch bolts are ever tensioned for locking position. To free the bolt hooks from keepers requires the positive act of manually turning operator member 60 at least one half turn against the tension of springs 31 and 38. It should be noted that each bolt member is capable of latching independently of the other.

The present invention also presents a fool proof latching and locking means whereby handbags and the like may be securely locked. Once the bolt hooks 3| and 32 have engaged their respective keeper members I2 it becomes impossible to separate these parts except in the manner just described. It is to be understood that the bolt members 23 and 24 may be made any desired length without departing from the spirit of the invention, The invention is described as a latching locking mechanism for a handbag but it is not meant to limit application merely to handbags, but rather it shall include all those devices in which it is desired to latch or lock two sides together.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but it should be construed as broadly as possible in view of the prior art. I

The invention disclosed herein, while adaptable to various fields of use, is particularly serviceable in connection with handbags and smaller carrying cases, in that the primary or main holding members are not subjected to -frictional contacts and movements for effecting locking and unlocking functions. Instead, a tripping action is relied upon. By reference to Fig. 4, it is evident that contact of legs on primary holding lugs I2, and movement of the primary holding or latch pins 3| and 32, under the inuence of pressure directed on the bolts 23 and 24, subjects neither the legs 50 or lugs |2` nor pins 3l, 32 to any frictional contact. Consequently the prime locking members are not subjected to any appreciable wear or possible distorting tensions, as is common in most varieties of locks provided for the indicated class of products.

What is claimed is:

1. In a fastening device of the class described comprising keeper members and locking means for retaining said keeper members, said locking means comprising a casing having apertures for the reception of said keeper members, a pair of oppositely extending, longitudinally reciprocable bolts having inner and outer ends, the inner ends of which make sliding contact with the Walls of said casing and which terminate in diagonally opposed fingers, the outer free ends of said bolts being shiftable transversely of the axis of longitudinal reciprocation, the outer ends of said bolts being turned back toward the center of said casing to provide hooks having free ends each of which furnishes a keeper engaging hook, bolt retaining means disposed intermediate the ends of said bolts, means comprising a plurality of springs for constantly urging said bolts to a locked position, a bolt actuating cam centrally disposed intermediate the diagonally disposed ngers for longitudinally reciprocating said bolts whereby said bolts engage said retaining means which retain said bolts in a tensioned retracted unlocked condition, said bolts adapted to be disengaged from said retaining means by pressure applied directly to said bolts by said keeper members, and means for operating said cam.

2. In a lock mechanism including an outer casing having apertures therethrough, keeper members for introduction into said apertures, a pair of oppositely aligned bolts having outer free ends, and being reciprocable longitudinally along a common axis, the outer free end of each bolt being shiftable transversely of the axis of longitudinal reciprocation, the outer end of each bolt being turned back upon itself whereby to terminate in a bolt hook for engagement with said keeper members, means located intermediate the inner ends of said bolts for imparting an outward longitudinal movement to said bolts for positioning said bolt hooks at the outermost edge of said keeper member apertures and in an unlocked position out of engagement with said keeper members, means for yieldingly urging each of said bolts centerward of said casing to a keeper-engaging position of the hooks, and means for yieldingly urging the outer ends of said bolts transversely of their axis of longitudinal reciprocation for positioning the bolt hooks adjacent the under side of the keeper apertures, means for retaining said bolts in an unlocked position against the counter force continuously urging said bolts centerward, the outer ends of said bolts being adapted to be shifted transversely of their respective retaining means by a cooperating keeper member whereby said bolts are disengaged from said retaining means and instantly thereafter shot centerward to engage the hooks with said keeper members.

3. In a fastening device of the class described comprising keeper members and keeper latching means, said keeper latching means comprising a casing having apertures into which the keeper members are adapted to be introduced for engagement with said keeper latching means, and longitudinally reciprocable bolts having free outer ends shiftable transversely of the axis of longitudinal reciprocation, means for yieldingly urging said bolts to engage said free outer ends with said keeper members, and means for retaining said bolts in a tensioned, nonengaging position with respect to the keepers, said keepers each including a laterally extending lip disposed in substantial parallelism to the longitudinal axis of reciprocation of said bolts, one end of said lip terminating in a depending leg which contacts a bolt end when a keeper is inserted into one of said apertures and through which a transverse motion is imparted to a bolt for disengaging same from its retaining means, said keeper lips and projecting legs being so proportioned as to cause disengagement of said bolts from said retaining means after said keeper lips are below the plane of longitudinal reciprocation of said bolts, Whereby said bolt ends will positively engage the upper side of said lips.

4. In a lock, the combination of bolts provided for longitudinal reciprocation and having free outer ends shiftable transversely of the axis of longitudinal reciprocation, yieldable means for normally urging the outer ends of said bolts to one side of said axis of longitudinal reciprocation and for simultaneously urging said bolt ends to a keeper engaging position, means for imparting longitudinal motion to said, bolts and means engageable by said bolts when in extended position for retaining said bolts in an extended position, each of said bolts adapted to be tripped from said retaining means by being shifted transversely of said retaining means by insertion of a keeper against the bolt whereby said bolts are released for keeper engagement.

5. In combination with the side walls of a handbag or the like, of keeper members anchored to one wall thereof and keeper retaining means fastened to the other wall of said handbag in cooperative alignment with said keeper members, said keeper retaining means comprising a casing having keeper member receiving apertures, longitudinally slidable bolts having free outer keeperengaging ends shiftable transversely of the axis of longitudinal reciprocation of the bolts, means comprising a plurality of springs for retaining the keeper-engaging ends of the bolts normally in engagement with the keeper members, means for moving said bolts to keeper releasing position, including a manually controlled operator member, and means positioned intermediate said operator member and said bolts for selectively locking said operator against manipulation.

6- In a fastening device of the class described comprising keeper members and keeper retaining means, said keeper retaining means comprising a casing having apertures into which the keeper members are adapted to fit, latching means in the casing comprising oppositely align-ed longitudinally reciprocable bolts including free ends which are shiftable transversely of the axis of longitudinal reciprocation, trip means for retaining said bolts in tensioned unlocked position and responsive to pressure applied laterally to the bolts by the keeper members when inserted in the casing apertures for releasing said bolts from unlocked position to engage the keeper members, centrally disposed cam-like means for sliding said bolts longitudinally outward into tensioned unlocked position, and means operatively associated with said cam-like means for manual operation thereof.

7. A lock structure which comprises in combination, an elongated shallow housing having a bottom wall and side Walls, one o'f which side Walls includes apertures at a distance from the opposite ends of the housing for reception of a pair of keepers, a double action cam mounted for rotation at substantially the middle point of the lock housing in a plane parallel toy the bottom Wall thereof, a pair of elongated bolt members each slidable longitudinally Within the housing Wholly at opposite sides of the cam, said members having inner ends each contacting the cam Whereby rotation of the cam projects the bolt members away from one another toward their respective ends of the housing, yielding means constantly urging the bolt members toward one another and against opposed areas of the cam, a U-turned outer end on each elongated bolt member, said ends both being directed toward the rotatable cam and toward one another, and disposed one each adjacent to a keeper aperture for movement with the bolt members inwardly toward the cam and into obstructing relationship relative to the keeper apertures, under the propelling influence of the yielding means aforesaid, trip means operative toy retain the bolt members when projected apart by the cam a distance sufcient to cause both U-turned ends to clear the keeper apertures for entry of the keepers, and a pair of keepers to release the trip means and engage with the termini of the U- shaped bolt member ends, upon insertion of the keepers into the housing apertures.

8. A lock structure which comprises in combination, an elongated shallow housing having a bottom Wall and parallel side Walls, one of which side Walls includes apertures spaced from the opposite ends of the housing for reception of a pair of keepers, a manual bolt actuator located substantially midway of the ends ofthe housing, a pair of elongated bolt members each of a thickness approximating the depth of the lock housing and adapted for reciprocation longitudinally within the housing Wholly at opposite sides of the actuator, said members having inner ends each contacting the actuator and being projectable thereby in opposite directions toward the respective ends of the housing occupied by the bolt members, yielding means constantly urging the bolt members toward one another and against opposed areas of the actuator, a U-turned outer end on each'elongated bolt member, said ends being both directed toward the actuator and toward one ano-ther, and disposed one each adjacent to a keeper aperture for movement with the bolt members inwardly toward the actuator and into obstructing relationship with the keeper apertures, under the propelling inuence of the yielding means aforesaid, trip means operative to retain `the bolt members When projected apart by the actuator a distance suicient to cause both U-turned ends to clear the keeper apertures for entry of keepers, and a pair of keepers to release the trip means and engage with the termini ofthe U-shaped bolt member ends,

upon insertion of the keepers into the housingapertures.

CHARLES J. SCHELL. 

